Graduate Diploma in Mine Geotechnical Engineering

Australia's #1 Engineering & Technology Faculty

International

You have reached the maximum of 6 degrees.

This specialist postgraduate qualification is designed for professionals who want to work in the mining industry with expertise in ground/strata control. The program caters for people with different backgrounds, whether you have a tertiary qualifications and/or relevant experience.

Commencing Terms: Term 1
Duration: 1 Year(s)
Delivery Mode: Face-to-face (includes blended)
Campus: Kensington
Codes: Program code 5059; CRICOS code -


2025 Indicative first year full fee: $44,000*
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree: $44,000*
2025 Indicative first year full fee: $58,000*
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree: $59,000*

Miners standing in the centre of the AVIE 3D visualisation system, looking at a VR projection of an underground mine.

Hands-on learning
Flexible delivery
In-demand skills

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Overview
Entry requirements
What will I study?
How to apply
Fees & Scholarships

Overview

If you're a professional in the underground hard rock or coal mining industry, this graduate diploma will develop your skills and knowledge required to progress your career. Whether this an area you'd like to move into or you're already working in, the Graduate Diploma in Mine Geotechnical Engineering will equip you with industry relevant, in-demand knowledge and skills in strata control.��

A majority of the courses will be offered as modules over a short block period to offer flexibility for employees of mining companies and associated service providers. You'll be able to study this graduate diploma on a part-time basis.

You'll choose from 3 specialisations available to students:

Note: Some electives may be offered only every two years and international students are not eligible to enrol on a student visa.

Why study at UNSW?

Engineering at UNSW is known as a leader in engineering education and research. We’ve invested in this standing with a $1 billion refurbishment of our engineering facilities.��UNSW’s School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering is ranked #1 in Australia and #2 globally for Mineral and Mining Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025). The school has been leading the innovation of world-class education and research of petroleum and mining for more than 70 years.  

We're also ranked #1 in Australia and #25 globally for Engineering and Technology. As well as this, all of UNSW's Engineering schools are ranked in the global top 50 with two schools ranked in the global top 10 for Engineering subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).

Australia’s top employers prefer our graduates over any other university. We're known for our graduate employability, with UNSW awarded the Most Employable students for six years in a row (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025). We offer the largest range of teaching programs and comprehensive research interests.

We’re home to the best facilities in resources engineering in Australia. You’ll learn with state-of-the-art facilities including a VR simulator, computer laboratory and a rock mechanics laboratory for applied research into mining issues and water research.

Who should choose this graduate diploma?

This degree teaches you practical knowledge to become a mine strata control engineer. Its designed for professionals within the mining industry intending to specialise in this field.

Program Code

5059

Campus

Kensington

Total Units of Credit (UOC)

Entry requirements

Access to mine site information is essential to complete the requirements of these programs. Access to information from an underground metal mine is essential for completion of the Underground Ground Control specialisation.

Entry pathways

The possible entry paths are as follows:

(1) Entry requires a degree in Mining Engineering or Civil Engineering or Geosciences disciplines (3 or 4 years) from a recognised institution. A minimum 65% average is required over the final two years of the degree. Significant industry experience in underground mining is strongly recommended.

(2) Those with limited tertiary qualifications, require at least two years of relevant responsible industry experience or permission from the Head of School or Director of Postgraduate Studies (Coursework). An entry portfolio is required with the below:

A cover letter explaining motivations for mining
Details on mathematics courses completed in high school and university
Contact details of two referees in CV
Evidence of any relevant training, eg. Mine certificates, VET training certificates, other non related degree transcripts

All applicants should submit a detailed CV with their application. This program does not allow international students to enrol on a student visa.

NOTE: If students lose or change jobs and no longer have mine site access, the School will work with the students affected to arrange ongoing access to a mine site, or mine site data, so as to enable the opportunity for successful completion of the courses and related assessment tasks. This may include ongoing access agreed with their past employer, or access to an alternate site or site database being arranged. As such, there is no requirement for the students to have to change streams or programs on this account.��

English language requirements

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You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

English language tests and university English courses
Prior study in the medium of English
Other qualifications

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.��

Entry pathways

The possible entry paths are as follows:

A cover letter explaining motivations for mining
Details on mathematics courses completed in high school and university
Contact details of two referees in CV
Evidence of any relevant training, eg. Mine certificates, VET training certificates, other non related degree transcripts

NOTE: All applicants should submit a detailed CV with their application. This program does not allow international students to enrol on a student visa.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

English language tests and university English courses
Prior study in the medium of English
Other qualifications

For more details, visit the��English Language Requirements��page.��

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

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What will I study?

Full program structure

You'll complete 8 core courses from a stream that includes foundational discipline courses, additional disciplinary courses and at least one advanced disciplinary course.

Students must complete at least one of the specialisations below:

Core courses include:

Mine Slope Stability
Mine Slope Monitoring Technologies
Fundamentals of Rock Behaviour for Underground Mining
Geotechnical Assesment for Underground Mining
Mining Excavations in Rock
Sustainable Tailings Management
Mining Geomechanics
Mine Geology and Geophysics for Mining Operations
Coal Mining Methods, Mine Planning and Applied Geomechanics
Geotechnical Data Collection and Analysis

How to apply

Applications must be submitted through our��portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date.��.

Ready to start your application?

For most international students, applications are submitted via��our  service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement��date. For��more information visit��our .

Ready to start your application?

Fees & Scholarships

2025 Indicative First Year Full Fee

$44,000*

2025 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree

$44,000*

*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.

Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).

You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the .

2025 Indicative First Year Fee

$58,000*

2025 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree

$59,000*

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the��.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit��.

Scholarships

At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.